Portland Capt. Todd Wyatt, a rising police supervisor in the Portland Police Bureau, has been removed from his position as head of the bureau's traffic division, while Idaho State Police investigate an off-duty incident in which Wyatt is accused of pointing a pistol at another motorist.

Portland police put out a brief news release, saying Wyatt was involved in an "off-duty incident while driving that involved another driver.''

But Washington and Idaho police filled in the details.

Wyatt is being investigated for pointing a pistol at another motorist while driving westbound on I-90, near milepost 6 in Post Falls, Idaho. Washington state police were alerted around 11:20 a.m. on August 13.

Washington state troopers said they received information from Idaho law enforcement to be on lookout for a blue F150 pickup with Oregon plates. The other vehicle involved was a grey Toyota Camry.

"The call came into local dispatch as a road rage, and possible weapons brandishing incident,'' said Lt. Chris Schenck, of Idaho State Police.

“They reported a pistol being pointed at a reporting party on I-90 west,’’ Washington state police Lt. Bob Kerwin.

Washington state troopers stopped Wyatt’s pickup about 11:40 a.m. Aug. 13 on I-90 in Spokane, near the Thor/Freya interchange, Kerwin said. They spoke to the motorist, identified the driver and the occupants of the vehicle and forwarded the information to Idaho State Police, Kerwin said.

Wyatt was not taken into custody. Portland police said Wyatt was on vacation at the time, and there were other occupants in the pickup. Washington nor Idaho state police would say if any children were in the truck.

"It's under investigation,'' Schenck said, noting that his troopers are conducting follow-up interviews.

Wyatt is being temporarily assigned to the bureau's Drugs and Vice Division, working on projects under the direction of Assistant Chief Larry O'Dea.

Lt. Eric Schober will serve as acting captain of the traffic division.

The Portland police spokesman would not say if Wyatt has returned to work. A call to the drugs and vice division said he was not there today, but expected in his new assignment tomorrow.

Capt. Bryan Parmon, president of the Portland Police Commanding Officers Association, said he had no comment on Wyatt's behalf, because of the ongoing criminal investigation.

Within the last 9 months, four officers have faced DUII allegations while off-duty. Two sergeants have faced allegations of off-duty road rage.

Mayor Sam Adams, who serves as police commissioner, said he met with Chief Mike Reese Tuesday and pledged to work with the chief to "redouble our efforts" to educate officers on the bureau's code of conduct.

Adams statement follows: "The Portland Police Bureau has hard-working men and women that go beyond what it takes to keep the peace. That is why I take reports of officer behavior, both on- and off- duty, seriously. I met with Chief Mike Reese today regarding a recently reported incident, and we will redouble our efforts to educate and train officers of the Police Bureau's code of conduct. Each case is being investigated, and I am confident that there will be a fair and timely conclusion.''

Wyatt faced internal investigations early in his career in response to complaints that he was heavy-handed as a patrol officer and a judge's complaint that he was rude in court. But he rose up the ranks quickly. Before supervising the traffic division, he was a supervisor of the bureau's planning or strategic services division.